"And Now, The Rest of the Story"These familiar words were a tagline of American radio journalist American Paul Harvey. Harvey invited listeners to join him behind the headlines to better understand stories in the news.

In an era of 24/7 news, social media posts and tweets within seconds of breaking news, stories come to us like crashing waves. Only rarely does a story come like a quiet pool, where we are invited into the depths.

Last month we attended a community dinner at one of our elementary schools. Guests were warmly welcomed by high school students, courteously escorted to the gymnasium by other students and served dinner by students.

Arriving in the gymnasium, young children eagerly headed for a craft and play areas, staffed by...yes, you are correct, by high school students.

The dinner was made possible by a suburban collaborative of the county and school districts, with the purpose of encouraging genuine community engagement, transcending differences of age, race, culture and language.

Four generations gathered around the tables. Guided by student emcees and discussion questions, guests listened to one another talk about what helped them succeed in school and learning, and about facing and overcoming obstacles.

More than one hundred community members arrived as families or neighbors. They departed as friends, grateful for the conversation and the sense of community.

But what about the 14 and 15 year-old students who spent months planning the event, serving as hosts, servers, emcees and translators with such confidence?

As we listened to students reflect this week, we learned they felt respect, trust and appreciation. Perhaps the adults behind the scenes were worried, but not so the students.

"We knew we were well prepared...and could count on one another and the adults who mentored us. We knew what we were doing was important."

Stu

dent News

Special visitors

White Bear students and staff are continually stretching boundaries when it comes to innovations and partnerships, and the exciting outcomes of such efforts are ones to celebrate. This is the primary purpose behind the annual Legislative Breakfast - to share and celebrate how the community and district have come together to make great things happen, and to discuss future opportunities. Area legislators, School Board members, WBLAS staff and students recently gathered at WBLAHS - South Campus for this event, starting out with breakfast and time to mingle with one another. Students and staff then took turns presenting on specific initiatives in which they've played role in and how their efforts have made a difference for our community. The ConnnectED Partnership with Suburban Ramsey County Libraries was highlighted first. Sunrise Park students shared how they now use the new joint library card system for anything from homework help to leisurely reading. For more information on this initiative, you can watch this video - which was presented recently at a White House Conference (this conference was covered more extensively in a previous edition of the e-Newsletter). Other partnerships highlighted at the Legislative Breakfast were the district's water conservation efforts, including its role in passing a bill last session, and the high school's new Manufacturing Pathways Program, to name a few. The Legislative Breakfast was also featured in our most recent 62.4-second video update.

Prior to this, some well-known Minnesota lawmakers came to visit our Willow fifth grade students - Governor Mark Dayton and Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith. Governor Mark Dayton was invited to White Bear by Willow fifth grade student Alexina Erickson, who wrote him a letter asking him to come and have lunch at Donatelli's restaurant. Though, this wasn't an invitation to dine together. For the past eight years, Willow fifth grade students have been helping out at the local restaurant, taking on jobs such as a host, server or cook. The students spend months preparing for this opportunity, with their teachers showing them how to write resumes, cover letters and how to nail an in-person interview. The restaurant owners then interview each of the students, then decide which jobs would be the best fit for them. Each student is also given the chance to invite a "VIP" guest to come and enjoy lunch during the student's work shift. Needless to say, Governor Dayton accepted Alexina's invitation and she was the server at his table. He and Lt. Gov. Smith came in for lunch and exchanged business cards with Alexina and her fellow Willow fifth grade students who were also on the job that day. This particular day at Donatelli's was featured in a recent 62.4-second video update and also on WCCO-TV. If you're in the mood for some Italian food and great service, Willow students will be working at Donatelli's every Tuesday afternoon for the next few weeks.

Our ALC Insight Recovery Program also hosted special guests recently, giving students and staff a different perspective on the dangers of addiction. Martha Wegner and David Hay shared their experiences living with addiction. Martha shared readings from her book, followed by a question and answer session with the two of them. "Dear David: Dealing with My Son's Addiction One Letter at a Time" is Martha's account of how her son David's addiction to drugs affected his family. The content is based upon letters she wrote to David after he walked away from a treatment program in 2014 and disappeared. David is a 2014 graduate, and was recognized as an Academic Achiever as a senior. Martha and David also shared their presentation with ALC staff during a recent professional development day.

Warming heartsWe know that February is I Love to Read Month as well as the month of Valentine's Day, so passing around Valentines with personalized messages for students to read couldn't be more fitting. This is what the BOSS and student council students at Oneka Elementary did as part of a special activity called We Are Love. As a gift to every student in the building, BOSS and student council students hand crafted and wrote kind messages on Valentine cards, then hand delivered them to each student from one classroom to the next. The students chose this activity not only because of Valentine's Day, but because they wanted demonstrate what they learned at WeDay a few months back. WeDay is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. WE Schools is a year-long program that nurtures compassion and gives people the tools to create transformation and social change.

Oneka and Hugo students were also warming hearts, quite literally, during another recent activity called Jump Rope for Heart. Throughout an entire school day, classes of all grade levels packed the gymnasium for a variety of jump rope and hula hoop activities. Students checked their heart rate after 30 seconds of activity, to see how such activities can really get their heart pumping. Besides practicing these heart-healthy activities, they raised money for the American Heart Association, too. The money is still coming in and the grand total has yet to be determined, but so far the two elementary schools have raised over $5,000 for the American Heart Association by participating in Jump Rope for Heart. Students and staff were excited to get some exercise while raising money for those battling heart disease. This Jump Rope for Heart activity was also covered in our most recent 62.4-second video update.

Educational performancesPerformances are just one, of multiple ways our seventh grade students can complete their History Day projects. Every year, seventh grade students at both Sunrise Park and Central Middle Schools take part in a research project that relates to an annual theme. This year's theme is; Exploration, Encounter and Exchange. Students picked an American History topic back in October, conducted months of research, then were able to present their findings with either a performance, website, exhibit board, paper or documentary. Central Middle School recently held their History Day Showcase event where all of these research projects were either performed or on display. Community members were invited to walk through the sea of exhibit boards, check out the websites and watch live performances from our seventh grade students in costume. The best projects from either middle school will compete on March 12 at WBLAHS - South Campus at the regional level, then the state level competition will take place May 1 at the University of Minnesota. Central's History Day Showcase was also featued in this 62.4-second video update.

Meanwhile, a few of our WBLAHS students recently sharpened their performing skills at a Newsies Clinic put on by the Spotlight Musical Theatre Program in the Twin Cities. Our students were given the rare opportunity to take a Dance Masterclass led by cast members from Newsies. WBLAS students Tom Perreirra, Julito Cabrera, Per Swenson and Sisloob Lo took part in the clinic and spent time with the famous performers.

62.4-second video updates

Take a look at our 62.4-second video updates that highlight weekly activity throughout our schools during the school year.

Activities updates

Girls' Basketball Captain Alison Hinck has been selected by the Girls' Basketball Coaches Association to play in the All Star Game in April.

Click here for a schedule of all fall sports contests. Find a complete list of all WBLAHS Activities, Athletics and Fine Arts here.

Engineering Scholarship - Hallberg Engineering is offering a $1,500 scholarship that will be awarded to a graduating WBLAHS student, who has the intent to pursue a 4-year Bachelor's degree in ether mechanical or electrical engineering. For more information, click here.

Emergency School Closings - For school closings, early dismissals and late starts, visit the district's Emergency School Closings page. You may also watch this student video, which includes information regarding winter weather closings.

Family-to-Family Education - This class is for family members who have a loved one living with mental illness. Learn about mental illness, identify resources, build communication skills, reduce stress and find support at an upcoming events. For more information, click here.

Autism Society of Minnesota presents dating workshops for teens with autism and their caregivers. The workshop is on March 12 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church. Click here for details.

ADD/ADHD Support Groups will be meeting in North St. Paul to have a conversation with parents, caregivers, providers and professionals about ADD and ADHD. These events are intended to give families the opportunity to have an open conversation, show support and to share resources. Event details can be found here.

Mental health services - Anoka County has contracted with Canvas Health to provide mental health crisis services. They've provided a tool kit for
parents as well as some school guidlines.

Parent Resource Support - NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides
support groups to help parents discover resources to meet the challenges of raising a child with mental illness, learn coping skills and develop problem solving skills. Support groups are facilitated by a parent who has a child with a mental illness and who has recieved specialized training. White Bear Lake meets on then 2nd and fourth Monday of each from, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Eagle Brook Church. Contact Jody Lyons: 651-645-2948 Ext:109

Mental Illness workshop - NAMI Minnesota presents a free workshop in Forest Lake on the evening of Monday, February 29. The workshop is geared toward parents of youth living with mental illness. For more information on the workshop, click here.

Special Education Parent/Staff Advisory Council- Updated information and meeting dates for the 2015-16 school year can be can be found
here.

One-stop online payments - The district offers a "one-stop" online payment system that enables families to make payments for food services, school activities and Community Education activities. The system also serves as the registration hub for middle school and high school activities. The system, new this summer, replaced multiple systems that are currently used for these purposes, including RevTrak, PayPams and ActiveNet.

PACER Center recently launched its
National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website, which offers innovative tools, reliable research, and interactive training to support families who are going through the transition process.

2015-16 Activities Calendar - The 2015-16 Activities Calendar was mailed to all district families and is available online
here.

Stay connected! - Sign up for the Community e-Newsletter, sent out twice a month. Join White Bear Lake Area Schools' social media circles - Facebook and Twitter.

Calling all baby models - We're looking for "Born to be a Bear" photos! Email photos to us here and you may find your little one featured in District publications!

Additional resources:

Resources to help with our limited English speaking families can be found
here.

Washington County Child and Teen Checkups newsletter can be found
here.

The following recognitions will take place in February:

I Love to Read month - Feb. 1-29

Black History month - Feb. 1-29

National School Counseling Week - Feb. 1-5

National School Board Recognition Week - Feb. 15-19

President's Day - Feb. 15

National PTA Founder's Day - Feb. 17

Senior Program Updates:

The White Bear Area Senior Center is a program of the White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services & Recreation Department.

FREE Activity Pass for Senior Community members (age 65+) - White Bear Lake Area Schools offer a variety of activities - home athletic contests, concerts, and theater productions to name a few. Join us! Call the Superintendent's Office at 651-407-7563 to request a FREE Activity Pass for home athletics events and a District Activities Calendar. Find the application
here. The Activities Pass is available to residents of the White Bear Lake Area School District who are age 65 and older.

Craft Corner Gift Shop at the Senior Center - Open from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, the gift shop is the perfect place to shop for a variety of beautiful, handcrafted items. With more than 100 consignees selling their personal crafts, there is much to choose from for purchase. If anyone, over the age of 55, has any love of creating crafts, we are in need of consignees to further our inventory. The Craft Corner Gift Shop is located at Normandy Park Education Center, 2484 County Road F East.

Partnership Updates:

H2O for Life - The Race 2 Reduce initiative at H2O for Life is a collaboration of stakeholders working to educate about local water resources and water conservation. White Bear Lake Area Schools is a partner in this effort and is working to align curriculum to integrate these important topics into school. For more information on this partnership, click
here.

BearPower is a community-wide movement helping White Bear Lake area families eat well and be active. For more on this community partner and its upcoming events, click here.

Open Gym Nights - BearPower is currently hosting Open Gym family night events on certain Fridays throughout the winter. Click here for the dates and details.

BearPower Family Breakaway Bike Ride - Families and community members are invited to join BearPower for its second annual free bike ride event Saturday, May 21. All ages and abilities are welcome. For further details, click here.

The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation(WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence in education in White Bear Area School District 624 schools.

The new E3 Grant (Enhancing Environmental Experiences) will roll out in the spring of 2016. Each school year, a total of up to $20,000 will be awarded to educators, groups of educators, buildings and administrators in the WBLAS District. This new environmental grant will help to further WBLAS students' understanding and attitudes toward science, the outdoors, our community and the world. For the application, click
here.

Teachers: Grant applications are now being accepted for the 2015-16 school year. Click here for the list and when to apply.

Bleed Orange and Black T-shirts - find out how to get one by contacting the Foundation Office (651-407-7696). Cost is $10.

Support WBLAS Students

Attend an event or two this winter and spring by finding the event schedule in the
2015-16 Activities Calendar! If you do not have a child in school but you would like a copy of the district-wide activity listing, please contact
Jody Reber at 651-407-7563 to request a mailed copy and request to be added to the Activities Calendar annual mailing list.